Shu Mingye lifted his head just enough to look at her again. His eyes were still dark, still intense, but now there was a flicker of something softer. A flicker of hope.
"You didn't say yes either," he murmured.
Linyue's cheeks warmed. She turned her face away, only for his hand to gently turn it back. They stared at each other for a moment. No words. Just a long pause where everything else faded out. Then Shu Mingye gave a small smile. It wasn't wide or smug, but it was real.
"Alright. I'll wait," he said softly. "But not forever."
She nodded once, slow and serious. "I know."
He leaned in again. This time, the kiss wasn't rushed. It wasn't desperate. It was slow and careful. He only let her go after what felt like ten rounds of kissing, though Linyue wasn't counting. She was too focused on trying to breathe again.
Shu Mingye, however, looked far too pleased with himself. He chuckled low, his voice smooth. "Now… where should I put the chain? Left side of the bed, or right?"
Linyue narrowed her eyes at him. "You're still thinking about that?"
He gave her an innocent look that absolutely did not match his sharp face. "Of course. I told you. I don't joke."
"You've already accepted the bribe," she pointed out, still slightly breathless.
"Mm." Shu Mingye leaned closer, his smile devilish. "It wasn't enough."
Her jaw dropped. "That wasn't enough?!"
He shrugged, far too relaxed for someone threatening romantic imprisonment. "It will never be enough."
Linyue pouted, lips pushed forward in a clear complaint. "That's unfair."
Shu Mingye's eyes narrowed, locking on her pout like it was his new favorite thing. Which, knowing him, it probably was. He reached out, touched her chin lightly, and kissed her again. Just a quick, maddeningly soft peck.
"You say it's unfair," he murmured against her lips, "but you have no idea how unfair you've been to me. And still… I let you win."
Linyue gave him a faint smile, "So, no chain?"
Shu Mingye didn't answer. He helped her sit up, his hands steady and warm. Her hair was a little messy now, and her robe slightly wrinkled, but there was a softness in his eyes as he looked at her. Like she was his whole world even if she tried to bribe him with kisses and confuse him with soup-related nonsense.
He picked up a strand of her hair and tucked it behind her ear. "Next time, don't run into trouble without me."
"It wasn't planned trouble."
He smirked. "Exactly. That's why you need the chain."
Linyue groaned softly. The man really didn't let things go. And yet, she didn't stop smiling. She looked up at him and smiled sweetly. "So, can I go back to my chamber now?"
Shu Mingye narrowed his eyes. "Stay there. Don't go anywhere. Without me."
She nodded with the most obedient expression she could fake. "I promise." Then she kissed him lightly on the cheek fast and bounced toward the door before he could change his mind.
Linyue jogged back to her chamber. On the way, she frantically tried to fix her hair, smooth out her robe, and erase all signs of "just survived dramatic kissing plus near-chain experience" from her face. She even took a deep breath and put on her most innocent, serene expression. Princess-like. Graceful. Unbothered. Then she opened the door and stepped inside.
Shen Zhenyu was already dressed in fresh, white robes. No more torn fabric, no more blood, no more scandal. The cut on his cheek was neatly cleaned, and fresh bandages peeked out from under his sleeve.
He Yuying was slouched in the chair as usual, chewing on dried plums like this entire day hadn't been pure chaos.
And Song Meiyu lit up. "Sister Linyue!" she squealed, leaping to her feet. "You actually came back? How did you seduce that Demon King to let you go?!"
Linyue gave her the most dignified answer she could manage. "I bribed him."
He Yuying clapped once. "Long live the Queen of Bribery."
Shen Zhenyu paused mid sip.
Song Meiyu gasped, delighted. "What kind of bribe? Wait, don't tell me—"
Linyue turned her face away, suddenly very interested in a random corner of the room. "I don't remember."
"SHE DOESN'T DENY IT!!" Song Meiyu screamed so loudly that even the teacup on the table trembled.
Trying her best to stay dignified, Linyue walked in and sat down gracefully. She poured herself a cup of tea with slow, measured movements. Calm. Composed. Elegant. Though her ears were pink.
Chaos family, indeed.
*****
The next three days passed with suspicious peacefulness. No explosions. No storms. No chains. A miracle, really.
Shu Mingye, true to his word and also true to his nature, was busy. He barely returned to his chamber at all. One moment he was locked in meetings that dragged on until the candles burned out, the next he was buried under documents in his study, and the rest of the time he vanished entirely with a murderous aura that warned everyone not to ask questions.
Linyue did not mind. She had stolen a small mountain of books and scrolls from his chamber and claimed a quiet corner of her own chamber. She spent her days flipping leisurely through old records, sipping warm tea, and occasionally pretending not to check the spirit jade every fifteen minutes. It was important, she told herself. Perfectly reasonable. Not the behavior of someone waiting for a certain man to return. Definitely not.
Meanwhile, Shen Zhenyu occupied the spot near the window. He meditated in complete silence, back straight, breath steady, face calm. The last fight had injured more than just his body. His pride had taken a direct hit and clearly needed medical attention too.
Song Meiyu and He Yuying, for reasons no one asked, tried to join him. They brought cushions, plopped down beside him, crossed their legs, and closed their eyes. For exactly five minutes.
He Yuying opened one eye and muttered, "I'm bored."
Song Meiyu whispered, "I think I heard my sword calling me."
Then they both got up and tiptoed out of the room. Linyue didn't ask if they truly went to train or if they simply refused to breathe the same air as Shen Zhenyu a moment longer. She had a strong suspicion it was the second. With a sigh, she lifted another book from her stack and opened it lazily. The room was calm and peaceful. Perfect for reading. Then—
BANG!
The door flew open.
Song Meiyu and He Yuying stumbled inside, robes dusty and hair slightly out of place. Their faces were full of drama.
Linyue immediately had a bad feeling. A very bad feeling.
Did they cause trouble again? Already? In such a short span of time? That had to be a new record even for them.
Song Meiyu ran straight to her. "Sister Linyue! That Soup Man!"
"Did he run out of soup?"
"No!" Song Meiyu flailed her arms so hard she nearly smacked He Yuying in the face. "I was just chatting with the palace guards casually, not because I was bored or gossiping, and they said there's someone suspicious standing outside the palace gate. He's been there since yesterday. He's not allowed to go in, of course."
Linyue raised one brow. "…And?"
Song Meiyu grabbed her shoulders. "It's him! The Soup Man! I peeked. It's totally him!"
Linyue blinked once, her voice as flat as her expression. "Why did he come here?"
"That's what I'm asking!" Song Meiyu's eyes were wide with excitement. "Did he come to find us? How did he even know we were here? Wait. He owns a mercenary guild. Never mind. It's probably very easy for him to find that out…" She paused, dramatically gasping. "Then did he come to demand compensation? No. He said he's rich. So why?"
He Yuying, now fully horizontal on a cushion, yawned. "Maybe he wants a rematch. Maybe he misses being electrocuted. Some people are into that."
Song Meiyu ignored him and leaned closer to Linyue, her eyes sparkling dangerously. "Or maybe…" she whispered, "he came to see you."
"Why would he go that far just to see me?" Her tone was calm. But her fingers had already slid over her book and shut it with a soft thump, just in case this conversation turned into a situation.
Song Meiyu gasped louder this time. "Oh no. You don't understand. This is how romantic subplots start. He came all the way here because you electrocuted his soul and his heart."
He Yuying opened one eye lazily. "Or maybe she just electrocuted his internal organs and he came for revenge."